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Auburn’s top 2 pass rushers heading to NFL draft The Auburn Tigers(Source: WSFA 12 News) By The Associated Press Published: Dec. 6, 2022 at 3:38 PM CST|Updated: 17 hours ago AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn’s top two pass rushers are leaving for the NFL. Defensive end Colby Wooden announced in a video on social media that he is skipping his senior season to enter the draft. Edge rusher Derick Hall also posted a video to announced his plans to leave. Hall is a senior who already had accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl but could have returned for a fifth season. He was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection. Hall is projected as a potential second-round draft pick while projections have Wooden in the mid-round range. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Questions for Hugh Freeze on Auburn’s offense Published: Dec. 06, 2022, 4:56 p.m. 4–5 minutes Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze is a busy man these days. Freeze is rebuilding a coaching staff, checking the transfer portal for potential incoming players and outgoing members of last season’s squad, and connecting with donors. Freeze will have lots of work ahead of him as he attempts to bring Auburn back to winning after two consecutive losing seasons for the Tigers. Let’s look at the problems Freeze will have to solve on offense. Read More Auburn Football: Colby Wooden, Derick Hall declare for NFL Draft Auburn president defends Hugh Freeze hire in email response to concerned fans Hugh Freeze on ESPN’s College GameDay: Auburn must ‘revamp the roster’ to compete for titles 1. Is Robby Ashford, the answer at quarterback? Freeze expressed his excitement about coaching Ashford was piqued during the Iron Bowl. Ashford threw a tightly-wound spiral that gently fell into Ja’Varrious Johnson’s hands in the end zone for a second-quarter touchdown. Ashford also rushed for two touchdowns and was the second-leader rusher on the team with 121 yards against Alabama. Auburn didn’t win because Alabama is the better team. Despite the loss, Ashford’s promise was eye-catching for Freeze. “I knew he could run around, and obviously, that’s very positive, but I saw him make some throws in that game. There was one particular in the right corner of the endzone,” Freeze said. “That was a really, really, really difficult pass. And it was beautifully done. I do think I have a gift to help develop quarterbacks. If you look at everywhere we’ve been, we’ve had pretty good success with that.” “I’m very anxious to get to work with not only him, he’s a tremendous athlete, but I think there are other good players in that room too. But I was impressed with how I thought he improved.” Ashford told reporters his first phone call after discovering Auburn hired Freeze was to Malik Willis, who played for Freeze at Liberty. Willis transferred from Auburn to Liberty. Ashford believes Freeze can help him become a player similar to Willis, who now is a quarterback for the Tennessee Titans in the National Football League. Ashford was one of the players that attended the press conference. He expressed excitement about working with Freeze. I’ve been praying for this,” Ashford said Tuesday after Freeze’s introductory news conference. “I was like, ‘If I get coach Freeze, it’s going to be deadly.’ ... “I’ve seen what he’s done in the past. He’s a winner. I feel like me, and coach Freeze are going to be a great dynamic duo. I’m excited.” College football, more than ever, is about quarterback play. Ashford and Freeze blending, as advertised, could get the Tigers back to winning. 2. Offensive line? Ashford or whomever the quarterback will be working behind an offensive line that has to get revamped through the transfer portal. Nick Brahms (retired), Austin Troxell, Alec Jackson, and Brandon Council have exhausted their eligibility. It’s likely that Brenden Coffey and Kilian Zierer, who spent several positions on the line but mainly tackle, won’t return. Jeremiah Wright, Tate Johnson, Kam Stutts, and Jalil Irvin all saw lots of playing time, and several people around the program expect them to return. Auburn expects to have five scholarship athletes on the offensive line. Freeze will need to find, at least two tackles in the transfer portal. 3. Wide receiver? Dazalin Worsham, Ze’Vian Capers, and J.J. Evans are in the transfer portal. Landen King and Tar’Varish Dawson Jr said they’d enter the portal before it opened, but both are reported to return to the Plains. Auburn needs depth at wide receiver. The Tigers could use one or two deep threats. Freeze will be busy searching the portal and high school ranks as signing day approaches. Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

auburnwire.usatoday.com Derick Hall named to All-SEC First Team River Wells 1–2 minutes It was a disappointing season for the Auburn Tigers, but that doesn’t mean there was nothing to praise on the Plains. Edge rusher Derick Hall was named to the Coaches All-SEC First Team on Tuesday. The nomination is Hall’s maiden First Team nod (he was named to the All-SEC Second Team in 2021) and comes on the day he announced his intentions to declare for the NFL Draft. Buy Tigers Tickets Hall netted seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss in his last season as a Tiger. Hall was a rotational player for his first two years at Auburn, but he became a dominant edge rusher during a junior year where he recorded nine sacks and terrorized Alabama quarterback Bryce Young during the team’s matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Hall is expected to be a high draft pick in the 2023 NFL draft and is currently the fifth-highest-ranked edge rusher on the Draft Network’s big board. Hall was the only Auburn player to be named with Coaches All-SEC honors.

Hugh Freeze discusses QB development, offensive and defensive philosophies Published: Dec. 06, 2022, 10:37 a.m. 6–7 minutes Hugh Freeze fashions himself as a quarterback guru. During his head coaching career, Freeze has developed a reputation as a gifted quarterback coach and offensive mind. From Bo Wallace and Chad Kelly at Ole Miss to former Auburn transfer Malik Willis at Liberty, Freeze’s quarterbacks have put up prodigious numbers in his system. He hopes to continue that trend of quarterback development at Auburn, where he was named head coach last week and takes over a program that has seen uneven play at the position in recent years. Read more Auburn football: Colby Wooden, Derick Hall declare for NFL Draft Auburn president defends Hugh Freeze hire in email response to concerned fans Assessing Auburn’s biggest positions of need to address through transfer portal So, what is it that has made Freeze such a successful quarterback mentor over the years? “I think it comes from our system,” Freeze said during an appearance on the Talking Tigers podcast with Voice of the Tigers Andy Burcham. “I think I teach in a way that helps them understand the game and where the game should be played on a given play, post-snap.” Freeze, who has been the primary play-caller throughout his career, coaches the quarterback position in a manner that affords his quarterbacks a certain level of autonomy within the offense. They don’t always have specific reads they need to go to but instead have more freedom to read and react after the snap. The results have been bountiful over the years. Wallace threw for 9,534 yards and 62 touchdowns while completing 63 percent of his passes and averaging 8 yards per attempt in three seasons playing for Freeze at Ole Miss. In Kelly’s first season under Freeze after transferring from Clemson, he threw for 4,042 yards, 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing 65.1 percent of his passes and averaging 8.9 yards per pass attempt. The following year, he threw for 2,758 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine games, completing 62.5 percent of his passes. At Liberty, Willis went from a quarterback who couldn’t crack the lineup at Auburn to a Heisman hopeful and third-round NFL Draft pick. In two seasons playing for Freeze, Willis threw for 5,107 yards, 47 touchdowns and 18 interceptions while completing 62.4 percent of his passes and averaging 8.5 yards per attempt. “Not a lot of coaches feel good about giving up that control, but I’ve got to believe I can teach it well enough for our quarterback to know (what to do post-snap),” Freeze said. “…I think it’s quarterback-friendly, as long as they can be a fundamentally accurate passer. I need help with that. I think my gift is teaching them the game and making correct decisions and getting protections set, and all of that. But man, I’ve had some great fundamentally (sound) quarterback coaches that were really good that’s a great complement to me.” Among those coaches were Dan Werner, who served as Freeze’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ole Miss for five seasons, and Kent Austin, who served alongside Freeze at Liberty for each of the last four seasons and who Freeze described as “one of the best to ever” coach the position. “I can’t take total credit for the development,” Freeze said. “I think I’m pretty good at helping them learn the game.” RELATED: Hugh Freeze confident Auburn can ‘get out of the wilderness,’ turn things around ‘fairly fast’ In discussing his approach to quarterback development, Freeze also spoke about how his offense has advanced over the years, describing his current philosophy as a “multiple, RPO, tempo-driven” system that incorporates NFL passing concepts. “That’s really what it is,” Freeze said. “I don’t go as fast as I did at Ole Miss, typically. I can, but I’ve really kind of matured into this (mindset that) I want to play complementary football.” That means slowing things down at times to shorten the game and afford his defense time to rest and, in general, fewer snaps for the opposing offense. Freeze understands that modern offenses are going to have success moving the ball down the field—”the rules are kind of skewed to the offense a little bit,” he said — so the defensive mindset needs to be focused on negative plays, third-down efficiency and red-zone stops. “Hold them to field goals, man,” Freeze said. “… People are going to move the ball, but I think if you really bow your neck and make them kick field foals, you got a good chance to win the game. Sometimes you get frustrated as an offensive coach, and you foolishly go for it because you don’t want to settle for three. That can backfire on you too, so I think we just got to be stingy in the red zone and don’t give up touchdowns. Let’s hold them to field goals.” Freeze has yet to hire a defensive coordinator, as he’s still in the process of assembling his inaugural staff, but he intends to give that coach—whoever it ends up being—a level of freedom similar to what he gives his quarterbacks. Freeze is an offensive-minded coach and plans to take a hands-off approach to the defense, entrusting his coordinator to do what needs to be done on that side of the ball. “Truthfully, that’s it for me,” Freeze said. “I don’t get too involved other than I want to know what’s going on on third down and red-zone defense. The rest of it, I hired you to do it. I’m going to hire someone who has a track record of doing it and doing it well. At some point now, I try to create the culture and create the energy and passion and relationship with those kids, but I’m going to hire a defensive staff and really trust them to get the job done. “Everybody’s got a different philosophy, so whoever I hire, I got to let them do what they believe in. I hope we’re a team that creates negative plays, though. I think that’s vital in today’s game.” Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

i think this is a good hire. i know when he lefy a lot of people were sad to see him go.

according to brandon marcello. Louisville secondary coach Wes "Crime Dawg" McGriff has been hired to the same position at Auburn, sources tell @247Sports. McGriff worked alongside Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss. He coached at Auburn in 2019 and 2020, and was at Florida in 2021.

i am quite comfy. i know the truth hurts and i know trump let you down. may i suggest counseling? i know it kills your soul trump made a fool out of you as well. i hope you get better suga...........

Rudy Giuliani struggled to answer basic questions at his attorney misconduct hearing Sonam Sheth 4–5 minutes Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.Mary Altaffer/Associated Press Rudy Giuliani appeared as a witness in his attorney misconduct hearing Monday. Opposing counsel grew increasingly frustrated as Giuliani failed to answer straightforward questions, veered off course, and aired nonsense allegations of voter fraud. "I'm asking you what time it is, and you're telling me how to make a watch," the lawyer told Giuliani at one point. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani appeared Monday as the first witness in his own attorney misconduct hearing, but the proceedings quickly became combative as the opposing counsel dinged Giuliani for failing to answer straightforward questions and frequently meandering off course. The ethics case, brought by the Washington, DC Bar's Office of Disciplinary Counsel, zeroes in on Giuliani's effort to overturn the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania when he was then-President Donald Trump's personal attorney. Specifically, the ODC alleges that the former New York mayor filed a "frivolous" lawsuit seeking to nullify Pennsylvania's presidential election results, despite the fact that there was "no factual or legal basis" for Giuliani's claims of widespread voter fraud. By filing the lawsuit, the ODC said, Giuliani violated the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct and "engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice." On Monday, disciplinary counsel Hamilton Fox said in his opening arguments that Giuliani "weaponized his law license" in an effort to undermine the Constitution. "Mr. Giuliani was responsible for filing a frivolous action asking a court in Pennsylvania to deny millions of people the right to vote," Fox said during the virtual hearing. Fox grew increasingly frustrated with Giuliani as the proceedings went on. At one point, he was trying to get more details from Giuliani about his role in litigating the Pennsylvania case, but the former mayor repeatedly veered off course and started airing nonsense allegations of voter fraud in other states. "Mr. Giuliani, I am trying to find out what your role was in writing — in drafting — the initial complaint in Pennsylvania," Fox said. "I'm asking you what time it is, and you're telling me how to make a watch." "Well, you know, I really do think you should let me answer the question, so I can get the context in which I was operating," Giuliani said. "So you don't create the false impression that all my time and attention was given to one matter when that was not the case." Later in the hearing, Giuliani was again reminded that he was there to answer questions as a witness when he started opining on a 5-2 Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling about voting procedures in the state. "I recall this very, very clearly," Giuliani said of the ruling. "This is a very debatable opinion." Fox ignored Giuliani and pointed out that the ruling held that election observers "be permitted to remain in the room where the ballots are being counted." "So you would agree that my position is reasonable, since it was the same position as ... the dissenters," Giuliani said. "It was hardly —" Fox cut him off, saying, "Mr. Giuliani, I ask the questions." Robert Bernius, a retired lawyer who presided over the hearings, also tried multiple times to rein Giuliani in. "Mr. Giuliani, I understand your frustration, but this is not the point at which you should argue your claims," he said. "Just answer the questions. Thank you." Earlier in the day, Bernius interrupted another long-winded rant from Giuliani to remind him that he was testifying as a "witness." The former mayor then said that he had been "persecuted for three or more years" and that his actions were taken out of context. "You've been a trial lawyer for a long time, and you understand how the process works," Bernius said. "The process is regularized." Read the original article on Business Insider

the FACTS are trump has enough money to pay an army of lawyers or his ass would have been in there long ago. you are just mad because he made you look like an idiot.

Senate GOP pans Trump call to terminate Constitution Al Weaver 3–4 minutes Former President Trump’s weekend call to terminate parts of the U.S. Constitution in order to overturn the 2020 election results was met with derision and opposition by Senate Republicans on Monday. “I think it’s ridiculous talk,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), a newly minted member of GOP leadership. “To besmirch our dedication to the Constitution is ridiculous.” “Very inappropriate,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), an ally of the former president. “The statement was inappropriate and I’m glad to see him clarify. “Most Republicans are frustrated, but that wasn’t the answer,” he added. Trump’s remarks came in a post on Truth Social on Saturday and bookended a crazy news cycle for the former president, even by his own lofty standards. They came only days after news emerged that he dined with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, and white supremacist Nick Fuentes, both of whom have openly and widely made antisemitic remarks. On Monday, Trump tried to back away from his Saturday remarks. “The Fake News is actually trying to convince the American People that I said I wanted to ‘terminate’ the Constitution. This is simply more DISINFORMATION & LIES, just like RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, and all of their other HOAXES & SCAMS,” Trump wrote Monday afternoon, adding that he meant for “steps must be immediately taken to RIGHT THE WRONG.” In a separate post written in all caps, Trump said that “if an election is irrefutably fraudulent, it should go to the rightful winner or, at a minimum, be redone. Where open and blatant fraud is involved, there should be no time limit for change!” Nevertheless, Senate GOP members had an array of responses to Trump’s suggestion but, in typical fashion, avoided criticizing the former president himself. “I don’t know why anybody would say something like that, certainly not an ex-president,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). “I think that’s irresponsible.” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a self-proclaimed supporter of the nation’s formative document, told reporters that the Constitution “is enduring and it will be for millennia to come.” He declined to respond when asked if the 45th president was wrong. At one point, a reporter asked Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) about the ex-president’s remarks. After saying that she hadn’t seen them, she asked incredulously, “Which election?” and audibly laughed after being told Trump was talking about the 2020 contest. Trump is the lone entrant so far in the 2024 race for the Republican nomination. That has not stopped other potential entrants in the primary battle from criticizing his latest round of remarks. Former Vice President Mike Pence told a South Carolina radio station on Monday that anyone who runs for the party’s presidential nomination “should make it clear that we will support and defend the Constitution.” Alexander Bolton contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to

no we are not. trumps footprints for enabling the crazies will be around for a good long while. also your party throws retards like hershel out there which is embarrassing to the whole country. i like biden as well. and in another post you said something about apologies? you finally saw the light on trump but you never ever apologized for it that i have ever seen. and you guys were warned time and time again but you guys ignored it and us so now you get to live with your choices. and yes you were one of many who got pissed when folks got on trump so pardons if i do not feel bad for you. own it.

so he is trump light when it comes to him? personally i have never trusted anyone that talks as fast as he does.

247sports.com Assessing Auburn's strengths, weaknesses after 8-0 start Nathan King For the first time since 2019, Auburn basketball is undefeated through eight games. Fresh off their most complete win of the season over Colgate, 93-66, the Tigers have more than a week off before heading to Atlanta to face Memphis in Holiday Hoopsgiving on Saturday. Bruce Pearl's team, currently ranked No. 15 in the AP poll, is likely to encroach upon the top 10 this week, and will assuredly be positioned there if they can run the table in its last four nonconference games before SEC play opens in late December. Heading into that final stretch of the nonconference slate, here's a look at the Tigers' statistical strengths and shortcomings during their 8-0 start, as well as early SEC projections and win/loss percentages for the rest of their games in December. Obviously as the season progresses, statistics will receive a larger sample size and will more accurately reflect Auburn's trends as a team — currently a squad with an elite defense and depth to spare, but with plenty of inconsistencies shooting the basketball. Auburn Undercover will continue to update with a new installment every couple weeks to monitor the Tigers' development. Offense Points per game: 73.0 (7th in SEC, 114th nationally) Efficiency rating (KenPom): 109.2 (7thth, 45th) Floor percentage (percentage of possessions where points are scored): 49.4% (7th, 73rd) Effective FG percentage: 48.6% (9th, 228th) 2-point FG percentage: 51.5% (6th, 132nd) 3-point FG percentage: 29.0% (14th, 312th) Free throw percentage: 65.0%% (14th, 304th) Free throw rate (per possession): 26.5% (4th, 59th) Assist to turnover ratio: 1.048 (7th, 128th) Offensive rebounding rate: 36.6% (3rd, 10th) Extra scoring possessions per game: 2.9 (8th, 86th) Defense Scoring defense: 58.0 PPG (3rd SEC, 16th nationally) Efficiency rating (KenPom): 87.2 (3rd, 5th) Opponent shooting percentage: 36.9% (4th, 14th) Opponent 2-point FG percentage: 42.1% (4th, 21st) Opponent 3-point FG percentage: 26.1% (3rd, 18th) Opponent free throw rate: 20.5% (6th, 116th) Defensive rebounding rate: 71.7% (13th, 230th) Block rate: 13.9% (1st, 1st) Steal rate: 12.9% (6th, 24th) ESPN BPI Offensive efficiency: 3.7 (8th SEC, 45th nationally) Defensive efficiency: 6.0 (2nd, 6th) Projected SEC record: 11-7 (No. 4 in SEC) NCAA tournament projection (ESPN BPI) 99.9% chance to make tournament (seed projection: 5.8) 64.6% chance to make Round of 32 33.2% chance to make Sweet Sixteen 16.4% chance to make Elite Eight 7.6% chance to make Final Four 3.2% chance to make national championship Games this month (ESPN BPI) vs. Memphis: 66.3% chance to win* vs. Georgia State: 96.3% @ USC: 57.3% @ Washington: 63.6% vs. Florida: 75.9% * = game played in Atlanta Individual leaders Scoring: Wendell Green Jr., 13.4 PPG (T-13th SEC) 3-point %: Allen Flanigan, 38.5% (19th SEC) Free throw %: K.D. Johnson, 82.1% (4th SEC) Assists: Wendell Green Jr., 3.8 APG (8th SEC) Rebounds: Johni Broome, 8.7 RPG (3rd SEC) Blocks: Johni Broome, 3.4 BPG (1st SEC) ">247Sports

theplainsman.com Calzada enters transfer portal for second time in career - The Auburn Plainsman 3–4 minutes The transfer portal officially opened Monday morning, and Auburn quarterback Zach Calzada elected to enter it for the second time in his career and leave the Auburn program. Calzada spent one year with the Tigers after spending the previous three at Texas A&M but never took a snap as the quarterback for Auburn. He never made it above the No. 2 QB on Auburn's roster once the season started. The Georgia native committed to Auburn in early January when former Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin still controlled the offense. Calzada's commitment came when Austin Davis had been announced as offensive coordinator, but Davis stepped down and left Auburn just one week later. Calzada missed spring practices, including Auburn's A-Day game, when he arrived at Auburn after undergoing shoulder surgery at the conclusion of his final year at Texas A&M but still appeared, due to his starting experience in the SEC, as a favorite to land the starting job over previous starter T.J. Finley, Oregon transfer Robby Ashford and true freshman Holden Geriner. Finley and Ashford eventually grabbed the first and second string spots, respectively, and Calzada began the season as the third string QB. Calzada was available throughout the first few weeks of the season, but Harsin announced in early October that the transfer QB would undergo another shoulder surgery and miss the remainder of the season. After Ashford finished the season as Auburn's starting QB for its last nine games, he has seemingly taken grasp of the job for the Tigers after being the sole QB to take snaps in the team's last eight games. Through the two coaching changes, Ashford has only taken off and garnered praise on his athleticism from his coaches. Calzada's decision comes a week after Auburn officially announced the hiring of Hugh Freeze as its next head coach. Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman. Jacob Waters | Sports Reporter Jacob is a sophomore from Leeds, Alabama. This is his second year with The Auburn Plainsman.

Auburn set to host former Mississippi State wide receiver Rara Thomas Taylor Jones ~2 minutes We are in the early stages of transfer portal season, and Auburn is already set to receive a visitor. Rara Thomas, who spent two seasons catching passes from Will Rogers at Mississippi State, will visit the Plains this weekend according to Jason Caldwell of Auburn Undercover. Auburn will be his first visit, he also is expected to visit Alabama and Georgia as well. Buy Tigers Tickets Thomas, who signed with Mississippi State from Eufaula High School, caught 62 passes for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons at Mississippi State. He did most of his damage this season, catching 44 passes for 626 yards and seven touchdowns. He was the Bulldogs’ leading receiver in yards and was second on the team in touchdown receptions behind Caleb Ducking, who caught eight touchdowns this season. Thomas did not receive much interest from Power Five programs as a high school recruit, as Mississippi State and South Carolina were the only major programs to offer. But his success at Mississippi State may aid him in draft stock. He was the No. 28 overall prospect from the state of Alabama for the 2021 cycle. Auburn needs help in the receiving department, and Thomas would give the Tigers a boost. Auburn’s highest-graded receiver according to Pro Football Focus was Ja'Varrius Johnson, who graded at 70.3 and caught just 26 passes despite being targeted 45 times.

Jason Caldwell's Monday morning quarterback column: Busy week and time to make hay for Freeze and company Jason Caldwell 4–5 minutes Time to roll While there are still some coaches to hire as the transfer portal kicks into high gear on Monday to start a very busy next three weeks, from everything I have been told the first few days with Hugh Freeze on board have been very, very positive. From several people inside the building, the change in having a head coach who values recruiting has been a breath of fresh air right away. That’s the biggest issue over the course of the next three months for Auburn, bolstering the roster and bringing more talent to the Plains. The first order of business is going to be doing that through the transfer portal. I think we had an idea of what this portal window was going to look like, but even thinking about how crazy it was going to be isn’t going to prepare us for what it’s like in reality. I believe we’ll see multiple year starters from major programs deciding to make a move for one reason or another. I don’t think any program is going to be free from seeing players leave. Can Auburn be one of the programs to capitalize with Freeze now on board and the NIL money available to make an impact? I don’t see why not. If the Tigers can get help on the offensive line, defensive line and at the edge rusher position alone, this is a roster that can compete in a hurry with the right players on board. Future is bright for in-state recruiting St. James quarterback KJ Jackson isn’t a well-known name yet, but the 2024 signal-caller has everything a college should be looking for at the position. He is a player who was already on my radar, but his performance in the 3A title game on Thursday showed me that he's an SEC guy at the position. At 6-3, 215 pounds and still with a year to develop physically and grow as a player, Jackson is one of many young guys in Alabama who helped themselves this season. While the 2023 class has gotten plenty of attention in this state, and rightfully so, Freeze and his new staff are coming into a great situation with top-level talent in the state the next two years as well. There are already more than a dozen 4-star prospects in the state for 2024 and Jackson isn’t even one of them. Neither is B.B. Comer running back/linebacker Kamore Harris, but that could change as well. He’s 6-1, 235 with good speed and a nose for the football on defense. He finished with 180 yards rushing and 15 tackles in a state title game loss on Friday. Currently with just a Colorado State offer, that will change in a big way in the coming weeks and months. Another 2024 prospect who showed big potential this season is Andalusia's Landen Marshall. At 6-3, 285, Marshall anchored the line of scrimmage on defense for the Bulldogs and also played some tight end late in the season. He has half a dozen offers with more to come. 34COMMENTS At Thompson, 2024 safety Kaleb Harris was overlooked because of the talent on that defense this season, but he played through several injuries and was finally healthy at the end of the year. Auburn is one of 14 offers already for him and he will be a player who rises up the recruiting rankings as he gets on the camp circuit this spring and summer. The opportunity to stay at home and make a big impact in the recruiting rankings and with the Auburn roster is very real for Freeze and company the next few cycles. Getting your share of the best players in Alabama would be a great starting point to putting the TIgers back on the college football map. ">247Sports

all of the articles are about recruiting and the portal so go check out the mighty Zeek and the recruiting board.

Snap Reaction: Potential Names for Tennessee Offensive Coordinator Vacancy Matt Ray 4–5 minutes Alex Golesh is headed to be USF’s new Head Coach, and Josh Heupel is now tasked with replacing his first coordinator since arriving on Rocky Top. The news regarding Golesh just broke moments ago, so we are taking the time to make a quick reaction hot board based on individuals we believe, in our opinion, could be potential candidates. Joey Halzle This would be the quick, simple hire for Heupel, and it would certainly make plenty of sense. Halzle has been with Heupel for essentially the entirety of his coaching career, he knows the ins and outs of the Vols offense, and it makes sense for him to coach quarterbacks and serve as OC as well. Halzle is responsible for bring in Nico Iamaleava, who is tabbed as being the future of Tennessee's offense, so it is also likely Halzle wants to stick around to coach the most physically gifted signal-caller he has ever recruited. Off initial gut, one would have to almost think Halzle would be the betting favorite. Anthony Tucker, Utah State Tucker, who spent time with Heupel at UCF, serving as his passing game coordinator, co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach would make a lot of sense as well. He knows the offense, is another rising star, and he has been successful as an OC since making the moving to Utah State. Recruiting at this level would be a key question, but one that all of Heupel’s inaugural staff minus Rodney Garner had to answer. Brian Hartline, Ohio State Speaking of rising stars, there isn't a bigger name in those ranks than Brian Hartline. Hartline's name had been mentioned for the Cincinatti job at one point, but we do not believe that got too far down the line. Hartline is currently the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator in Columbus and makes 950k. At worst, Tennessee makes him say no and gets him a raise. At best, you get an elite recruiter, who is another future star in the business and has been a thorn in your side on the recruiting trail. This is just more of a personal thought on who I would call, and I am sure it is a name that has gotten plenty of thoughts across the country. There are no known connections in this one, but there is plenty of intrigue with him. Scroll to Continue Read More Chip Long Long was at Georgia Tech until new Head Coach Brent Key relieved him of his duties shortly after being hired. Still, Long seemed to have more success as the OC after Geoff Collins was fired this season. He has a strong history as a tight ends coach, so he could fill the void left behind by Golesh in that phase, but that would certainly not be the deciding factor. As Tennessee could bring in anyone on this list and make a run at Long as tight ends coach if they wanted. He is a guy that it would be easy to see Josh Heupel vetting. Phil Longo, North Carolina Longo's name has been mentioned for the Auburn and Texas A&M offensive coordinator, and it is easy to see why, as he has not disappointed since taking over at North Carolina in 2019. Now, Auburn makes a lot of sense, as Longo and Freeze worked together in the same capacity at Ole Miss. Still, the Tigers have a clear rebuild in front of them, and it is possible the 54 year old Longo is looking for a quick stepping stone to make a run at being a head coach in some capacity. If that is the case, then him showing interest in the Tennessee job would make some sense. Again, these are all early speculations, but there is plenty to like about Longo so far. Jeff Lebby, Oklahoma Lebby left Lane Kiffin last off-season to return to his alma mater, Oklahoma, to call plays for first-year Head Coach Brent Venables. It would probably be hard to pull Lebby out of Oklahoma, and Tennessee might not want to spend the money, but the Sooners offense struggled this past season and appears to be a major work in progress. For Lebby, who is viewed as a rising star as well, a reunion with Josh Heupel could certainly get him back on track. Now, there has to be some question of if there is strain around this relationship as Lebby left Heupel to go call plays for Kiffin, but it would also be foolish to rule this out. Lebby spent two years with Heupel at UCF, including serving as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in 2019.

Ole Miss offensive line coach Jake Thornton tells players he's heading to Auburn David Johnson 3–4 minutes Offensive line coach Jake Thornton (Photo: OMA) Offensive line coach Jake Thornton told his Ole Miss players Sunday afternoon that he is taking the same position at Auburn, according to sources. Thornton communicated with his players, we are told, that he just felt it was time for a change. He did not know if he would continue to coach the Rebels through their Dec. 28, appearance in the Tax Act Texas Bowl versus Texas Tech at NRG Stadium in Houston, he allegedly told his players. Thornton spent two seasons as Lane Kiffin's offensive line coach after taking over for Randy Clements, who was terminated following spring practices in 2021. Thornton will be joining newly-hired head coach Hugh Freeze's staff at Auburn. BIOGRAPPHICAL INFO ON JAKE THORNTON From Ole Miss biography Thornton came to Ole Miss after spending the 2020 season as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Gardner-Webb. Thornton joined the Gardner-Webb staff after two seasons in the same role at FCS Tennessee Tech. There, he helped the Golden Eagles to one of the top turnarounds in the subdivision nationally in 2019. Thornton’s offensive line cleared a path for 4,501 offensive yards in 2019 and protected one of the OVC’s most productive quarterbacks in Bailey Fisher. Guard Trevor Stephens earned Freshman All-America honors from Phil Steele following a season that saw him start 11 games. Sophomore guard Mike Rhoades was a Second Team All-OVC choice following the season. The offensive yardage produced by the Golden Eagles in 2019 marked the second-highest total in program history for a single season. Thornton’s line helped Fisher earn 2018 OVC Freshman of the Year honors at quarterback and a spot on the 2018 Jerry Rice Award Watch List as a finalist. Prior to joining the staff at Tennessee Tech, Thornton served as an offensive line graduate assistant on the 2017 National Championship staff at Alabama. That offensive line featured future NFL Draft picks Jonah Williams (1st round, 2019) and Ross Pierschbacher (5th round, 2019) as well as Second Team All-SEC selection Bradley Bozeman (2017). The Crimson Tide defeated five top-20 teams en route to a 13-1 record and 17th national title. Thornton started his coaching career in 2016 as offensive quality control coach and assistant offensive line coach at his alma mater, Western Carolina. That season the Catamounts produced 4,252 yards of total offense and saw quarterback Tyrie Adams earn SoCon Freshman of the Year honors. After beginning his college playing career at Division II national stalwart Carson-Newman, Thornton transferred to Western Carolina in 2012. He began a string of 33 straight starts in 2013 and helped the Catamounts to consecutive seven-win seasons and second-place finishes in the Southern Conference. 31COMMENTS Thornton was named First Team All-SoCon in 2014 and Second Team All-SoCon in 2015. Thornton’s grandfather, Billy Shaw, played guard for the Buffalo Bills and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1999). Shaw also starred at Georgia Tech prior to embarking on his pro career. ">247Sports

Auburn with a huge need on the OL with the transfer portal opening on Monday Jason Caldwell 4–5 minutes AUBURN, Alabama—New Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze knows the issues for the Tigers after taking over the program following the early firing of Bryan Harsin that finished with Cadillac Williams coaching the final four games of the 2022 regular season. In the last two years Auburn won just 11 games and had back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1998-99. With need areas on both lines of scrimmage and several other positions, Freeze mentioned in his opening press conference the need to use the transfer portal heavy in year one. “I think year one, the portal will be a big priority,” Freeze said. “Again, this is without me talking to recruiting yet to kind of find out where we are with the high school recruits. I do believe in building with high school kids and filling in with the portal. Can we do that in year one? I’m not sure yet so I would anticipate it being heavier toward the portal.” Much of the reason for that was the lack of recruiting and development on the offensive line. Depending on transfers and sixth-year seniors to hold things together this past season, Auburn now finds itself in serious trouble with the losses of seniors Austin Troxell, Alec Jackson, Brandon Council, Kilian Zierer and Brenden Coffey along with junior Keiondre Jones announcing his intentions to enter the transfer portal. While there’s a belief that Jones could still return to the Tigers, that still leaves just five players with experience on the line with seniors Jalil Irvin and Kam Stutts expected to return for a fifth year and Tate Johnson coming back after playing in four games this season before an injury ended his year. The other one is Jeremiah Wright, who played defense his first season and sat out in 2021 following a knee injury. That might not be a huge deal in some years or for some programs, but when you throw in the lack of recruiting for Auburn from the high school ranks over the last four years it becomes a huge issue for the 2023 season. Currently, Auburn has two commitments for this year’s class from 4-stars Clay Wedin and Bradyn Joiner. A year ago the only player the Tigers signed on the offensive line was 4-star Eston Harris, Jr. The previous signing class the offensive line consisted of just two guys, Colby Smith and Garner Langlo. Going back to 2020, Auburn signed only three linemen from high school. That year, the Tigers brought in Avery Jernigan, Tate Johnson and Wright. Going into his fourth season at Auburn, Wright has played offensive line just one year after working his way into the rotation this past season. A year earlier, Auburn brought in Jones, Justin Osborne and Kamaar Bell in the 2019 class. Neither Osborne nor Bell played for the Tigers before transferring out of the program. Even with their signings, Auburn signed a not so grand total of nine offensive linemen in the last four years with Smith the only true tackle of the bunch. Meanwhile, during that same stretch, Georgia signed 17 high school offensive linemen and Alabama signed 16. The two best and most consistent programs in the country on the field have also dedicated a big portion of their rosters to signing and developing offensive linemen. That’s something that Auburn will likely do under Freeze with the Tigers expected to sign at least three from high school this year, but the portal is going to need to be a big priority, especially at tackle. With no experience at the position and only one scholarship tackle, the Tigers need at least two true tackles that can come in and compete for a starting job and maybe three. It’s far from ideal, but that’s the hand that Freeze has been dealt this first year. 58COMMENTS The good news is that nobody in the country will have a sales pitch like Auburn when the portal officially opens on Monday. If you’re an offensive tackle and want to play, then this is the program for you. *** Subscribe: Receive the latest Auburn intel and scoops***

Auburn Transfer Portal Live Tracker Christian Clemente 9–12 minutes The new era of college football is here. Like it or not, the transfer portal is a huge part of college football in 2022, and for Auburn specifically, it should prove to be beneficial. While players have already begun to announce their intent to enter the transfer portal over the past couple of weeks, unless a coaching change occurred at their school, Monday was the first opportunity for most players to actually enter the transfer portal. It's the beginning of a 45-day window for players to transfer, with the only other transfer window coming after spring practice from May 1-15. For Auburn and new head coach Hugh Freeze, which currently only has 11 high school commits and is projected to lose a lot of upperclassmen, it could be a very, very large portal class. Auburn brought in nine transfers last year. That number could easily double in the 2023 cycle. Auburn Undercover is tracking all of the updates for Auburn's departures, Auburn's additions and potential Auburn targets. Note: The names we're tracking do not directly reflect Auburn's board. Quarterback Transferring out: None Looking to add: 0-1 Names we're tracking: Nick Evers (Oklahoma), Hudson Card (Texas) While not in the transfer portal yet, T.J. Finley appears to be on his way out. That leaves Auburn with Robby Ashford, Zach Calzada and Holden Geriner, along with a commitment from 3-star Miami Central (Fla.) quarterback Keyone Jenkins, should Freeze take him. Even if Freeze opts to keep Jenkins in the class, taking a quarterback out of the portal is not out of the question for Auburn. Freeze has shown an interest in Ashford and his skillset, but bolstering up the room is certainly a possibility. Two early intriguing names to enter are Evers and Card, who were highly-rated coming out of high school with Card playing some for Texas and Evers departing after just one year at Oklahoma. Whether or not Auburn looks to go big game hunting for a quarterback or simply take depth remains to be seen. Running Back Transferring out: None Looking to add: 0-1 Names we're tracking: Kavosiey Smoke (Kentucky), Justin Williams-Thomas (Tennessee) With a commitment from Jeremiah Cobb, what Auburn does at running back in the portal will hinge on Tank Bigsby and his draft status. If he departs, expect Auburn to go get an experienced back to pair with Jarquez Hunter and the young duo of Damari Alston and Cobb. Should Bigsby stay, Auburn may not take a transfer or will take a young one for the future. Smoke fits the bill as an experienced back that also happens to be from Alabama. Williams-Thomas was an Auburn target in the 2022 class before signing with the Vols. Wide Receiver Transferring out: JJ Evans Looking to add: 1-2 Names we're tracking: Traeshon Holden (Alabama), Grant DuBose (Charlotte), Theo Wease (Oklahoma), RaRa Thomas (Mississippi State), E.J. Williams (Clemson) Landen King has already withdrawn his name from the transfer portal (though a move back to tight end is likely in the cards), sources have told Auburn Undercover that Tar'Varish Dawson will do the same and Ze'Vian Capers is also expected to return. So, the three pass catchers that were planning to leave are now back. Still, don't be shocked to see Auburn go after a big receiver or two in the portal. The keyword being "big." Auburn will look to go out and get a certified stud receiver, who's large enough to move outside and play outside. Holden, DuBose, Wease, Williams and Thomas are just a few of the early names that have already announced their intent to enter the portal and could be intriguing targets. Tight End Transferring out: None Looking to add: 0-1 Names we're tracking: Kyle Morlock (Shorter) After a lengthy Auburn career, John Samuel Shenker has run out of eligibility and will not be on Auburn's roster next year. Tyler Fromm, Luke Deal and Brandon Frazier all project to return, but as upperclassmen and little pass-catching experience. Micah Riley-Ducker will be a redshirt freshman after playing a few snaps in 2022. Getting immediate pass-catching help and/or building up the future of the room will likely happen here. Morlock was offered by Auburn's interim staff and was the top D-II tight end in the country at Shorter in Georgia. Offensive Tackle Transferring out: None Looking to add: 2-3 Names we're tracking: Damieon George (Alabama), Gunner Britton (Western Kentucky), Ajani Cornelius (Rhode Island) Come one, come all. Auburn will NEED to add at least two transfer offensive tackles to be able to step in and start right away. Luckily for Auburn, the depth chart is so thin that the players can almost essentially be guaranteed starting spots. There is an immediate need at offensive tackle, and transfers know it. Auburn should have a strong opportunity to land transfer portal offensive tackles. A few of the early names to look at are George, Britton and Cornelius. Both George and Cornelius could project at guard or tackle. Interior Offensive Linemen Transferring out: Keiondre Jones Looking to add: 2-3 Names we're tracking: Jake Renfro (Cincinnati), Javion Cohen (Alabama) Again, expect Auburn to go into the portal heavily for interior offensive linemen, too. A center will be needed and a guard or two could be required as well. Jeremiah Wright projects to slot into a starting spot and Kameron Stutts is expected to return for a fifth year, while Tate Johnson is also returning, but Auburn will need more here. Auburn needs more experience and also more depth at the spot. Convincing Jones to stay, who left that possibility open, would be a good start. Renfro has experience as Cincinnati's starting center, though staying in the midwest and potentially following Luke Fickell to Wisconsin seems likely here. Cohen is a name Auburn fans are all too familiar with, but he has a lot of starting experience from his time at Alabama. Defensive Line Transferring out: Zykeivous Walker Looking to add: 2-3 Names we're tracking: Tunmise Adeleye (Texas A&M) Auburn is actually set to be a little thin along the defensive line next year, making it another big transfer portal spot. The line of scrimmage as a whole, really, will be an emphasis for the new staff. In terms of defensive tackles and defensive ends, two or three is the estimate now but that may even be conservative depending on how the high school class works out. Edge Rusher Transferring out: None Looking to add: 2-3 Names we're tracking: Ty French (Gardner-Webb), Bradyn Swinson (Oregon) With Derick Hall, Eku Leota and Marcus Bragg on the way out, the edge spot will be another huge emphasis. Depending on Auburn's defensive coordinator hire this could end up being labeled differently, but the point is, Auburn needs guys to come off the end and attack the quarterback. Hall had a long, successful Auburn career while Leota and Bragg were productive after transferring in. With just Dylan Brooks returning, Auburn can sell immediate playing time and the opportunity to replace a future NFL guy or two. Transferring up from the FCS ranks, French had a monster 2022 season with 68 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Originally from Georgia, Swinson hasn't done a ton at Oregon, but Auburn will need depth, too. Linebacker Transferring out: None Looking to add: 1-2 Names we're tracking: DaSan McCullough (Indiana) Owen Pappoe has been a leader in Auburn's linebacker room for four years now and appears ready to move on to the next level. And Cam Riley, Wesley Steiner and Desmond Tisdol have already become upperclassmen with a shortage of eligibility left. Flipping from Alabama, Robert Woodyard was Auburn's highest-rated commit in the Class of 2022 and could step into a bigger role as a mike linebacker next year. But Auburn needs to potentially bring in a starter and some depth here, especially with no high school linebackers committed in the class yet. Cornerback Transferring out: A.D. Diamond Looking to add: 1-2 Names we're tracking: Gavin Holmes (Wake Forest), Brian George (Texas A&M) A lot of Auburn's secondary at both cornerback and safety will be determined by the choices of DJ James, Jaylin Simpson, Nehemiah Pritchett and Zion Puckett back at safety. Both James and Pritchett accepted Senior Bowl invites, but still have eligibility remaining and could, in theory, return. Keionte Scott had an impressive year too and could look to leave for the NFL. Whatever happens, expect Auburn to get at least one transfer cornerback for depth and, if needed, could pick up more than that to bolster next year's roster. Safety Transferring out: None 17COMMENTS Looking to add: 0-1 Names we're tracking: It's worth noting that Holmes could play safety should Auburn get him. He was high school teammates with current Auburn safety Donovan Kaufman and knows Auburn wide receiver Koy Moore, too. Safety is a spot that, even if Puckett returns, could bring in a transfer. Part of it will depend on where Auburn's new staff projects Austin Ausberry to play and the development of Cayden Bridges and Caleb Wooden. ">247Sports